Tool system

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a tool system allowing a tool to be controlled on a work object basis before the work is started. A tool system includes a portable tool and an identification unit. The tool includes a driving unit to operate with power supplied from a battery pack. The identification unit identifies, by a contactless method, a current work object, to which the tool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/469,072, filed on Jun. 12, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,550,289, whichis the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International PatentApplication No. PCT/JP2017/043164, filed on Nov. 30, 2017, which in turnclaims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-256882, filedon Dec. 28, 2016 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-184110, filedon Sep. 25, 2017, the entire disclosures of which Applications areincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a tool system, and moreparticularly relates to a tool system including a portable tool.

BACKGROUND ART

A work management system has been known which is designed to managevarious kinds of work each requiring some type of tool (see, forexample, Patent Literature 1). The work management system disclosed inPatent Literature 1 includes a tool and a work manager. The tool is usedto perform some kind of work on a work object. The work manager includesa work information acquisition unit, a location information acquisitionunit, a work object information acquisition unit, and an informationmanagement unit. The work information acquisition unit acquires, fromthe tool used to perform the work on the work object, work informationabout the type of the work that has been done on the work object. Thelocation information acquisition unit acquires information about alocation where the work has been done on the work object using the tool.The work object information acquisition unit acquires work objectinformation to identify the work object based on the information thathas been read from the work object. The information management unitmakes a storage unit store the work information, the locationinformation, and the work object information in association with eachother.

The location information acquisition unit acquires the locationinformation of the workplace based on positioning data provided by a GPSreceiver for determining the current location based on radio wavesreceived from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite, for example.

Patent Literature 1 also describes a positioning system for determiningthe current location by receiving beacon radio waves radiated from aplurality of sites on the ground.

According to Patent Literature 1, the work information about the type ofthe work that has been done on the work object is acquired by using thework manager separately from the tool. That is to say, according toPatent Literature 1, it is not until the work has been done that thework information about the work is acquired. This makes it difficult tochange, before the work is started, the type of control over the tool ona work object basis.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP 2016-91316 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a toolsystem allowing a tool to be controlled on a work object basis beforethe work is started.

A tool system according to the present disclosure includes a portabletool and an identification unit. The tool includes a driving unit tooperate with power supplied from a power source. The identification unitidentifies, by a contactless method, a current work object, on which thetool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tool system according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the appearance, as viewedfrom a first direction, of a tool included in the tool system;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the appearance, as viewedfrom a second direction, of the tool included in the tool system;

FIG. 3 shows the sequence of operations to be performed when theoperation mode of the tool in the tool system is a registration mode;

FIG. 4 shows the sequence of operations to be performed when theoperation mode of the tool in the tool system is a working mode;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tool system according to a firstvariation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows the sequence of operations to be performed by the toolsystem according to the first variation;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a tool system according to a secondvariation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a tool system according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a tool system according to a variation ofthe second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view illustrating the appearance, as viewedfrom the first direction, of a tool included in the tool system;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view illustrating the appearance, as viewedfrom the second direction, of the tool included in the tool system; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a tool system according to anothervariation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment to be describedbelow is only one of various embodiments of the present disclosure, andmay be readily modified, changed, replaced, or combined with any otherembodiments, depending on a design choice or any other factor, withoutdeparting from a true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

(1) First Embodiment (1.1) Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tool system 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment. The tool system 1 according to this embodiment may be used,for example, in an assembly line for performing assembling work onproducts at a factory. Specifically, this embodiment is supposed to beapplied to an assembly line in which a single product has a plurality ofportions to be fastened, thus requiring the worker to attach a fasteningmember (such as a nut or a bolt) onto each of those portions to befastened by using a tool 2 at the same workplace. As used herein, the“portion to be fastened” refers to an area surrounding, and covering, ascrew hole to which the fastening member is attached. This embodimentwill be described as being applied to a situation where the work object,to which the tool 2 is applied, is the portion to be fastened. As usedherein, the “work object” refers to an object (such as a workpiece or aworking area) on which work is supposed to be performed by using thetool 2. The tool system 1 according to this embodiment is configured toidentify a current work object, on which the tool 2 is set in place, outof a plurality of work objects. As used herein, the phrase “the tool 2is set in place” refers to a situation where the tool 2 has been placedso as to be ready to perform work on the work object. As used herein,the phrase “placed so as to be ready to perform work” refers to not onlya situation where the tool 2 is already in contact with the work objectbut also a situation where the tool 2 is being brought into contact withthe work object. That is to say, when the tool 2 is set in place on thework object, the tool 2 may be already in contact with the work objector may be still out of contact with the work object. Note that the toolsystem 1 does not have to be applied to the assembly line but may findany other application as well.

A detailed configuration for the tool system 1 according to thisembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 .

The tool 2 may be an electric impact wrench (see FIGS. 2A and 2B), forexample, and may be used to perform fastening work of attaching afastening member onto a work object. The tool 2 includes a driving unit24, a tool-end control unit 3, a storage unit 4, an image capturing unit5, and a battery pack 201.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a body 20 of the tool 2 includes acylindrical barrel 21, a grip 22 protruding radially from acircumferential surface of the barrel 21, and an attachment member 23 towhich the battery pack 201 is attached detachably.

The driving unit 24 is housed in the barrel 21. The driving unit 24includes a motor, and is configured to perform rotational operation withpower supplied from the battery pack 201 as a power source. An outputshaft 241 protrudes from one axial end of the barrel 21 (see FIGS. 2Aand 2B). The output shaft 241 is configured to turn as the driving unit24 performs the rotational operation. A cylindrical socket 242 forfastening or loosening a fastening member (such as a nut or a bolt) isattached detachably onto the output shaft 241. The size of the socket242 attached to the output shaft 241 may be selected appropriately bythe worker according to the size of the fastening member. Turning theoutput shaft 241 by making the driving unit 24 perform the rotationaloperation allows the tool 2 to perform the work of fastening orloosening the fastening member.

Optionally, a socket anvil may also be attached detachably, instead ofthe socket 242, onto the output shaft 241, thus allowing a bit (such asa screwdriver bit or a drill bit) to be attached via the socket anvil.

The tool 2 according to this embodiment includes the impact mechanism25. The impact mechanism 25 is configured to, when (the work value of)fastening torque exceeds a predetermined level, apply striking force inthe rotational direction of the output shaft 241. This allows greaterfastening torque to be applied to the fastening member.

The grip 22 is a portion to be gripped by the worker while performingthe work, and is provided with a trigger switch 221 and a rotationaldirection inverting switch 222. The trigger switch 221 is a switch forcontrolling the ON/OFF states of the rotational operation by the drivingunit 24 and allows the worker to adjust the number of revolutions of thedriving unit 24 by changing the depth of the switch 221 pressed. Therotational direction inverting switch 222 is a switch for switching therotational direction of the output shaft 241 from the clockwisedirection into the counterclockwise direction, and vice versa. Theattachment member 23 is provided at the other end, opposite from thebarrel 21, of the grip 22.

The attachment member 23 is formed in the shape of a compressedrectangular parallelepiped, and the battery pack 201 is attacheddetachably to one side thereof opposite from the grip 22. The batterypack 201 includes a case 202 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) made of a resin andformed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and houses a rechargeablebattery (such as a lithium-ion battery) inside the case 202. The batterypack 201 supplies power to the driving unit 24, the tool-end controlunit 3, the image capturing unit 5, and other constituent members.

The attachment member 23 is also provided with a control panel 231. Thecontrol panel 231 may include a plurality of press button switches 232and a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 233, for example, whichallow the worker to enter various types of settings for, and confirm thestate of, the tool 2. For example, by operating the control panel 231(press button switches 232), the worker is allowed to change theoperation mode of the tool 2 or the check the battery level of thebattery pack 201. The attachment member 23 further includes alight-emitting unit 234, which may be implemented as an LED, forexample. The light-emitting unit 234 is arranged to emit light towardthe work object during the work. The light-emitting unit 234 may beturned ON and OFF by operating the control panel 231. Alternatively, thelight-emitting unit 234 may also be configured to be lit when thetrigger switch 221 turns ON.

The tool-end control unit 3 is housed in the attachment member 23. Thetool-end control unit 3 includes a microcomputer (microcontroller)including a processor and a memory. The tool-end control unit 3 performsthe functions of a driving control unit 31, an image capturing controlunit 32, an image processing unit 33, a notification control unit 34, adecision unit 35, and a registration unit 36 by making the processorexecute a program stored in the memory. The program to be executed bythe processor may be stored in advance in the memory of themicrocomputer or may also be distributed after having been stored on anon-transitory storage medium such as a memory card or downloaded via atelecommunications line such as the Internet. Note that if no operatingcommand is entered into the trigger switch 221 or the control panel 231for a certain period of time, the tool-end control unit 3 enters a sleepmode. The tool-end control unit 3 is activated when any operatingcommand is entered, during the sleep mode, into either the triggerswitch 221 or the control panel 231.

The driving control unit 31 is configured to control the driving unit24. Specifically, the driving control unit 31 makes the driving unit 24turn at the rotational velocity determined by the press depth of thetrigger switch 221 and in the rotational direction set by the rotationaldirection inverting switch 222.

The driving control unit 31 is also configured to control the drivingunit 24 such that the fastening torque becomes equal to a torque setting(working setting). The driving control unit 31 has a torque estimatingfunction of estimating the magnitude of fastening torque. The drivingcontrol unit 31 estimates, until the estimated value of the fasteningtorque reaches a seating determination level, the magnitude of thefastening torque based on the rotational velocity, a variation in thenumber of revolutions, or any other parameter of the driving unit 24(motor) between the strokes of the impact mechanism 25. When theestimated value of the fastening torque reaches the seatingdetermination level, the driving control unit 31 estimates the magnitudeof the fastening torque based on the number of strokes by the impactmechanism 25. When finding the number of stokes by the impact mechanism25 has reached a threshold number of times based on the torque setting,the driving control unit 31 determines that the fastening torque shouldhave reached a torque setting, and stops the motor. This makes thefastening torque when the fastening member is attached a torque setting.The torque setting will be described later.

Optionally, the tool 2 may include a torque sensor for measuring thefastening torque. In that case, the driving control unit 31 controls thedriving unit 24 such that the fastening torque measured by the torquesensor becomes the torque setting.

The image capturing control unit 32 is configured to control the imagecapturing unit 5. The image capturing unit 5 may be implemented as acamera including an image capture device and a lens, for example, andmay be housed in the barrel 21 of the body 20. The image capturing unit5 is arranged to capture an image of the work object during the work. Inthis embodiment, the image capturing unit 5 is arranged along the outputshaft 241 and within a predetermined range from the output shaft 241 soas to capture an image beyond the tip of the output shaft 241. Inaddition, the image capturing unit 5 is also arranged such that thesocket attached to the output shaft 241 falls within the image capturingrange. The image capturing unit 5 is configured to capture imagescontinuously while the tool-end control unit 3 is activated. Thus, theimage capturing unit 5 generates a time series of captured images in theform of moving pictures and outputs those images to the image processingunit 33.

The image processing unit 33 is configured to identify, as a currentwork object, one, shot on the spot in the captured image (hereinafterreferred to as an “actually shot work object”), out of a plurality ofwork objects by performing image processing on the image captured by theimage capturing unit 5. That is to say, the image processing unit 33performs the function of an identification unit 330 for identifying thecurrent work object on which the tool 2 is set in place. Theidentification unit 330 (image processing unit 33) uses the imagecapturing unit 5 provided for the tool 2 as a sensor and identifies,based on the output (captured image) of the sensor (image capturing unit5), the current work object on which the tool 2 is set in place.Specifically, the image processing unit 33 performs, on the imagecaptured by the image capturing unit 5, pattern matching processingusing a plurality of reference images associated the plurality of workobjects as template data, thereby identifying the actually shot workobject. The image processing unit 33 identifies the actually shot workobject by performing image processing (pattern matching processing), ona frame basis, on the data output, in a moving picture format, from theimage capturing unit 5, for example. Thus, if the work object fallswithin the image capturing range of the image capturing unit 5, theimage processing unit 33 is able to determine which of the plurality ofwork objects the image capturing unit 5 is capturing an image of. Theplurality of reference images are stored in the storage unit 4 (imagestorage unit 41).

The storage unit 4 may be implemented as a semiconductor memory such aflash memory, and performs the function of the image storage unit 41, atorque storage unit 42 (target value storage unit), and a result storageunit 43. In this embodiment, the image storage unit 41, the torquestorage unit 42, and the result storage unit 43 are implemented as asingle memory. However, this is only an example and should not beconstrued as limiting. Alternatively, these units 41, 42, and 43 mayalso be implemented as three different memories. Still alternatively,the storage unit 4 may also be implemented as a memory card attachableto, and removable from, the tool 2.

The image storage unit 41 stores a plurality of reference image inassociation with the plurality of work objects. Each reference image isa still image obtained by capturing an associated work object.Optionally, a single work object may be associated with a plurality ofreference images obtained by shooting the work object from variousangles and in multiple different sizes.

The notification control unit 34 is configured to control a notificationunit 211 provided for the tool 2. The notification unit 211 may beimplemented as an LED, for example. The notification unit 211 may beprovided for the other end, opposite from the output shaft 241, of thebarrel 21 of the body 20 so as to be easily viewed by the worker duringthe work (see FIG. 2B). The notification control unit 34 lights thenotification unit 211 when the image processing unit 33 identifies theactually shot work object. By seeing the notification unit 211 lit, theworker recognizes that the image processing unit 33 has identified theactually shot work object.

The torque storage unit 42 stores a plurality of target torque values(target values) in association with the plurality of work objects one toone. As used herein, the “target torque value” refers to the targetvalue of a fastening torque when a fastening member is attached to anassociated work object.

The driving control unit 31 acquires, when the image processing unit 33identifies the actually shot work object, a target torque valueassociated with the actually shot work object from the torque storageunit 42. Then, the driving control unit 31 may set a value based on thetarget torque value thus acquired as a torque setting. In thisembodiment, the driving control unit 31 sets the target torque valuethus acquired as the torque setting.

In addition, once the image processing unit 33 has identified theactually shot work object, the driving control unit 31 holds the targettorque value associated with the actually shot work object as the torquesetting until another work object is shot in the captured image. Thisallows, even if the image processing unit 33 has become unable toidentify the actually shot work object just before starting thefastening work, for example, the fastening member to be fastened at thetarget torque value associated with the actually shot work object.

In addition, once the trigger switch 221 has been turned ON, the drivingcontrol unit 31 holds the torque setting until the trigger switch 221 isturned OFF, to prevent the torque setting from varying during thefastening work.

Optionally, the driving control unit 31 may also be configured toactivate the driving unit 24 when the trigger switch 221 is turned ON,only in a situation where the image processing unit 33 has identifiedthe actually shot work object successfully. This reduces the chances ofthe fastening work being performed at a torque value different from thetarget torque value associated with the actually shot work object, in asituation where the image processing unit 33 has failed to identify theactually shot work object.

The decision unit 35 is configured to determine whether or not thefastening torque is a normal one when the fastening member is attachedto the portion to be fastened. If the driving control unit 31 hasdeactivated the driving unit 24 on detecting that the number of strokesby the impact mechanism 25 has reached the threshold number of times,then the decision unit 35 determines that the fastening torque should benormal. On the other hand, if the driving control unit 31 hasdeactivated the driving unit 24 by turning the trigger switch 221 OFFbefore the number of strokes by the impact mechanism 25 reaches thethreshold number of times, then the decision unit 35 determines that thefastening torque should be insufficient (abnormal). The decision unit 35also performs result storage processing of storing the decision resultsin the result storage unit 43 in association with the portion to befastened.

Optionally, if the tool 2 includes a torque sensor for measuring thefastening torque, then the decision unit 35 may be configured todetermine, by comparing the result of measurement by the torque sensorwith the target torque value, whether or not the fastening torque isnormal. On finding the result of measurement by the torque sensorfalling within a predetermined range based on the target torque value,the decision unit 35 determines that the fastening torque should be anormal one. On the other hand, on finding the result of measurement bythe torque sensor falling outside of the predetermined range based onthe target torque value, the decision unit 35 determines that thefastening torque should be an insufficient (abnormal) one.

The result storage unit 43 stores the decision results obtained by thedecision unit 35 with respect to a plurality of portions to be fastenedin association with the plurality of work objects. It is recommendedthat the result storage unit 43 store the decision results obtained bythe decision unit 35 with time stamps, indicating the working times,added thereto. This allows the work object decision results to bedistinguished from one product to another on the assembly line.

According to the present disclosure, the tool 2 according to thisembodiment has, as its operation modes, a working mode and aregistration mode. As used herein, the “working mode” refers to anoperation mode in which the worker performs some type of work using thetool 2. The registration mode refers herein to an operation mode inwhich a plurality of reference images are stored in the image storageunit 41 and a plurality of target torque values are stored in the torquestorage unit 42. The operation mode may be switched by operating thecontrol panel 231. Alternatively, the operation mode may also beswitched by operating another member, such as a dip switch, instead ofthe control panel 231.

The registration unit 36 is configured to, when the operation mode ofthe tool 2 is the registration mode, perform image registrationprocessing of making the image storage unit 41 store the plurality ofreference images and torque registration processing of making the torquestorage unit 42 store the plurality of target torque values.

The registration unit 36 makes the torque storage unit 42 store, as atarget torque value during the torque registration processing, thetorque setting when the fastening member is attached to the work object.Specifically, when the operation mode of the tool 2 is the registrationmode, the worker may enter any arbitrary torque value by operating thecontrol panel 231, and the driving control unit 31 sets the torque valueentered as the torque setting. When the fastening member is attached tothe work object, the registration unit 36 makes the torque storage unit42 store the torque setting at this time.

In addition, the registration unit 36 also makes, during the imageregistration processing, the image storage unit 41 store, as a referenceimage, the still image generated by having the image capturing unit 5capture an image of the work object. Specifically, when the operationmode of the tool 2 is the registration mode, the trigger switch 221 alsofunctions as a shutter release button. That is to say, when the triggerswitch 221 turns ON, the image capturing unit 5 generates a still image.The registration unit 36 makes the image storage unit 41 store the stillimage as a reference image.

That is to say, according to this embodiment, when the operation mode ofthe tool 2 is the registration mode, the trigger switch 221 performsboth the function as a switch for activating the driving unit 24 and thefunction as a shutter release button for generating the reference image.Thus, performing the fastening work when the operation mode of the tool2 is the registration mode allows the registration unit 36 to performthe torque registration processing and the image registration processingin parallel with each other. Specifically, the registration unit 36makes the torque storage unit 42 store, as the target torque value, atorque setting during the fastening work and also makes the imagestorage unit 41 store, as the reference image, a still image of the workobject during the fastening work.

Note that the image registration processing does not have to be theprocessing of making the image storage unit 41 store, as a referenceimage, the still image generated by the image capturing unit 5.Alternatively, the image registration processing may also be theprocessing of registering, as a reference image, a still imagedownloaded from a server with the image storage unit 41, or theprocessing of registering, as a reference image, a still image acquiredfrom an external memory such as a memory card with the image storageunit 41.

(1.2) Exemplary Operation

Next, an exemplary operation of the tool system 1 according to thisembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 . In thefollowing example, it will be described how the tool system 1 operateswhen the worker performs the work of assembling two products of the sametype (hereinafter referred to as a “first product” and a “secondproduct,” respectively) on an assembly line. Each product is supposed tohave three work objects (hereinafter referred to as “first, second, andthird work objects,” respectively) and the worker is supposed to performthe work of attaching a fastening member onto each of these workobjects. In addition, both the image registration processing and thetorque registration processing are yet to be performed by theregistration unit 36 on the tool 2, and none of the first to thirdreference images and first to third target torque values correspondingto the first, second, and third work objects, respectively, are storedin the image storage unit 41 or the torque storage unit 42 yet.

First of all, an exemplary operation of the tool system 1 when the firstproduct is assembled will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . Theworker sets the operation mode of the tool 2 at registration mode (inStep S1). Next, the worker operates the control panel 231 to enter thetorque value of the fastening torque when the fastening member isattached to the first work object (in Step S2). The driving control unit31 sets the entered torque value as a torque setting. Then, the workerperforms the fastening work of attaching the fastening member onto thefirst work object by pressing the trigger switch 221 (in Step S3). Atthis time, the first work object is shot, thus generating a still imageof the first work object.

When the fastening work is done, the registration unit 36 performsregistration processing (including image registration processing andtorque registration processing) (in Step S4). Specifically, theregistration unit 36 performs the image registration processing ofmaking the image storage unit 41 store, as a first reference imageassociated with the first work object, a still image of the first workobject generated during the fastening work in Step S3. In addition, theregistration unit 36 also performs the torque registration processing ofmaking the torque storage unit 42 store, as a first target torque valueassociated with the first work object, a torque setting when thefastening member is attached to the first work object during thefastening work in Step S3. That is to say, the first target torque valueis associated with the first reference image.

The decision unit 35 performs result storage processing of making theresult storage unit 43 store, in association with the first work object,a first decision result indicating whether or not the fastening torquewhen the fastening member is attached to the first work object is anormal one (in Step S5).

In addition, the worker sequentially performs the fastening work on thesecond and third work objects in this order in the same workingprocedure as the first work object. Specifically, the worker operatesthe control panel 231 to enter the torque value of the fastening torquewhen the fastening member is attached to the second work object (in StepS6) and then performs the fastening work of attaching the fasteningmember to the second work object (in Step S7). At this time, a stillimage of the second work object is generated and the registration unit36 performs the registration processing (including the imageregistration processing and the torque registration processing) (in StepS8). The decision unit 35 performs result storage processing of makingthe result storage unit 43 store a second decision result indicatingwhether or not the fastening torque during the fastening work in Step S7is a normal one (in Step S9).

When the fastening work is done on the second work object, the workerperforms the fastening work on the third work object. Specifically, theworker operates the control panel 231 to enter the torque value of thefastening torque when the fastening member is attached to the third workobject (in Step S10) and then performs the fastening work of attachingthe fastening member to the third work object (in Step S11). At thistime, a still image of the third work object is generated and theregistration unit 36 performs the registration processing (including theimage registration processing and the torque registration processing)(in Step S12). The decision unit 35 performs result storage processingof making the result storage unit 43 store a third decision resultindicating whether or not the fastening torque during the fastening workin Step S1 l is a normal one (in Step S13).

When the work of assembling the first product (i.e., the fastening workon the first, second, and third work objects) is completed, the workerperforms the work of assembling the second product. Next, an exemplaryoperation of the tool system 1 when the worker performs the work ofassembling the second product will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The worker operates the control panel 231 to switch the operation modeof the tool 2 from the registration mode into the working mode (in StepS21). Then, the worker performs the work of assembling the secondproduct with the operation mode of the tool 2 set at the working mode.

The worker directs the image capturing unit 5 toward the first workobject of the second product. The image processing unit 33 performsimage processing to identify the first work object as the actually shotwork object (in Step S22). This allows the driving control unit 31 toset a first target torque value associated with the first work object asthe torque setting (in Step S23).

On confirming that the first work object has been identified by thenotification unit 211, the worker performs the fastening work ofattaching the fastening member onto the first work object (in Step S24).

The decision unit 35 performs result storage processing of making theresult storage unit 43 store, in association with the first work object,a first decision result indicating whether or not the fastening torquewhen the fastening member is attached to the first work object is anormal one (in Step S25).

In addition, the worker sequentially performs the fastening work on thesecond and third work objects in this order in the same workingprocedure as the first work object. Specifically, the worker directs theimage capturing unit 5 toward the second work object. This allows theimage processing unit 33 to identify the second work object as theactually shot work object (in Step S26). The driving control unit 31sets a second target torque value associated with the second work objectas the torque setting (in Step S27). The worker performs the fasteningwork of attaching the fastening member onto the second work object (inStep S28). The decision unit 35 performs result storage processing ofmaking the result storage unit 43 store a second decision resultindicating whether or not the fastening torque during the fastening workin Step S28 is a normal one (in Step S29).

When the fastening work on the second work object is completed, theworker performs the fastening work on the third work object.Specifically, the worker directs the image capturing unit 5 toward thethird work object. This allows the image processing unit 33 to identifythe third work object as the actually shot work object (in Step S30).The driving control unit 31 sets a third target torque value associatedwith the third work object as the torque setting (in Step S31). Theworker performs the fastening work of attaching the fastening memberonto the third work object (in Step S32). The decision unit 35 performsresult storage processing of making the result storage unit 43 store athird decision result indicating whether or not the fastening torqueduring the fastening work in Step S32 is a normal one (in Step S33).

From the third product and on, the worker will perform the assemblingwork in the same way as in the second product with the operation mode ofthe tool 2 also set at the working mode. Also, if the reference imageand the target torque value are respectively stored in the image storageunit 41 and the torque storage unit 42 during the work, no registrationmode is needed.

Note that the work on the first, second, and third work objects does notalways have to be performed in the order described above but may also beperformed in any other order. The tool system 1 identifies the workobjects by their captured images. That is why even if the work on thosework objects is performed in a different order, the fastening work isstill able to be performed at their associated target torque values.

(2) Variations

Next, variations of the tool system 1 will be described. In thefollowing description, any constituent element of the variations, havingthe same function as a counterpart of the embodiment described above,will be designated by the same reference numeral as that counterpart's,and a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

(2.1) First Variation

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tool system 1 a according to a firstvariation. The tool system 1 a according to this variation includes asetting terminal 8, which is a major difference from the tool system 1according to the exemplary embodiment described above. This variationallows the worker to confirm the image captured by the image capturingunit 5 or the result of decision made by the decision unit 35 and enterthe target torque value by using the setting terminal 8.

The tool 2 according to this variation further includes a communicationsunit 6. The communications unit 6 is a communications module thatenables wireless communication compliant with the Wi-F® or any otherstandard to be established and is housed in the body 20. Alternatively,the communications unit 6 may also be a communications module thatenables wired communication to be established.

The setting terminal 8 may be a mobile telecommunications terminal suchas a smartphone or a tablet computer, for example, and includes acommunications unit 81, a display unit 82, an operating unit 83, acontrol unit 84, and a storage unit 85.

The communications unit 81 may be a communications module that enableswireless communication compliant with the Wi-F® or any other standard tobe established and communicates wirelessly with the communications unit6 of the tool 2. The display unit 82 and the operating unit 83 may beimplemented integrally as a touchscreen panel, for example. The controlunit 84 may include a microcomputer, for example, and may be configuredto control the communications unit 81, the display unit 82, and theoperating unit 83. The storage unit 85 may be implemented as asemiconductor memory such as a flash memory.

In this variation, the image capturing unit 5 not only outputs thecaptured image to the image processing unit 33 but also transmits thecaptured image to the setting terminal 8 via the communications unit 6as well. In response, the control unit 84 of the setting terminal 8 hasthe captured image transmitted from the tool 2 displayed on the displayunit 82. This allows the worker to confirm, on the display unit 82 ofthe setting terminal 8, the image being captured by the image capturingunit 5 or a still image generated by the image capturing unit 5, forexample. In addition, entering a command through the operating unit 83allows a target torque value, associated with the still image, to beentered. The control unit 84 makes the storage unit 85 store the stillimage transmitted from the tool 2 and the target torque value thusentered in association with each other.

The control unit 84 transmits the still image and torque value, whichare stored in the storage unit 85, to the tool 2 via the communicationsunit 81. The registration unit 36 of the tool 2 performs the imagestorage processing of making the image storage unit 41 store, as areference image, the still image transmitted from the setting terminal 8and also performs the torque storage processing (or target value storageprocessing) of making the torque storage unit 42 store the target torquevalue transmitted from the setting terminal 8.

In addition, the decision unit 35 transmits the decision result of thefastening work to the setting terminal 8 via the communications unit 6.In this variation, the storage unit 85 of the setting terminal 8performs the function of the result storage unit 43 a. The control unit84 performs result storage processing of making the result storage unit43 a store the result of decision made by the decision unit 35 andtransmitted from of the tool 2. In addition, the tool-end control unit 3makes the display unit 82 display the decision result stored in theresult storage unit 43 a. This allows the worker to confirm, as a list,the results of decision made by the decision unit 35 for the respectivework objects.

The setting terminal 8 does not have to be a mobile telecommunicationsdevice portable for the worker. Alternatively, the setting terminal 8may also be a server with the ability to communicate with thecommunications unit 6 of the tool 2, for example.

(2.1.1) Exemplary Operation

Next, an exemplary operation of the tool system 1 a according to thisvariation will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

First of all, the worker sets the operation mode of the tool 2 at theregistration mode (in Step S41).

The worker directs the image capturing unit 5 toward the first workobject of the first product and presses down the shutter release buttonof the control panel 231 to shoot the first work object (in Step S42).This allows a first still image of the first work object to be generatedand transmitted to the setting terminal 8 (in Step S43). The workershoots the second and third work objects in the same way as the firstwork object (in Steps S44 and S46). This allows a second still image ofthe second work object and a third still image of the third work objectto be generated and transmitted to the setting terminal 8 (in Steps S45and S47, respectively).

The worker confirms the first, second, and third still images on thedisplay unit 82 and enters, through the operating unit 83, first,second, and third target torque values for the first, second, and thirdstill images, respectively (in Step S48). On entering the first, second,and third torque values, the worker has the data (including the first,second, and third still images and the first, second, and third targettorque values) transmitted from the setting terminal 8 to the tool 2 (inStep S49).

The registration unit 36 of the tool 2 performs the image storageprocessing of making the image storage unit 41 store, as the first,second, and third reference images, the first, second, and third stillimages transmitted from the setting terminal 8, and also performs thetorque storage processing of making the torque storage unit 42 store thefirst, second, and third target torque values (in Step S50).

Next, the worker operates the control panel 231 to switch the operationmode of the tool 2 into the working mode (in Step S51). Then, the workerperforms the work of assembling the product with the operation mode ofthe tool 2 set at the working mode.

The worker directs the image capturing unit 5 toward the first workobject of the product. The image processing unit 33 performs imageprocessing to identify the first work object as the actually shot workobject (in Step S52). This allows the driving control unit 31 to set afirst target torque value associated with the first work object as thetorque setting (in Step S53).

On confirming that the first work object has been identified by thenotification unit 211, the worker performs the fastening work ofattaching the fastening member onto the first work object (in Step S54).

The decision unit 35 transmits a first decision result, indicatingwhether or not the fastening torque when the fastening member isattached to the first work object is a normal one, to the settingterminal 8 via the communications unit 6 (in Step S55). The control unit84 of the setting terminal 8 performs result storage processing ofmaking the result storage unit 43 a store the first decision result inassociation with the first work object (in Step S56).

In addition, the worker sequentially performs the fastening work on thesecond and third work objects in this order in the same workingprocedure as the first work object. Specifically, the worker directs theimage capturing unit 5 toward the second work object. This allows theimage processing unit 33 to identify the second work object as theactually shot work object (in Step S57). The driving control unit 31sets a second target torque value associated with the second work objectas the torque setting (in Step S58). The worker performs the fasteningwork of attaching the fastening member onto the second work object (inStep S59). The decision unit 35 transmits a second decision result,indicating whether or not the fastening torque during the fastening workin Step S59 is a normal one, to the setting terminal 8 via thecommunications unit 6 (in Step S60). The control unit 84 of the settingterminal 8 performs result storage processing of making the resultstorage unit 43 a store the second decision result (in Step S61).

When the fastening work on the second work object is completed, theworker performs the fastening work on the third work object.Specifically, the worker directs the image capturing unit 5 toward thethird work object. This allows the image processing unit 33 to identifythe third work object as the actually shot work object (in Step S62).The driving control unit 31 sets a third target torque value associatedwith the third work object as the torque setting (in Step S63). Theworker performs the fastening work of attaching the fastening memberonto the third work object (in Step S64). The decision unit 35 transmitsa third decision result, indicating whether or not the fastening torqueduring the fastening work in Step S64 is a normal one, to the settingterminal 8 via the communications unit 6 (in Step S65). The control unit84 of the setting terminal 8 performs result storage processing ofmaking the result storage unit 43 a store the third decision result (inStep S66).

In the exemplary operation described above, the setting terminal 8transmits the captured image back to the tool 2 in Step S49. However,this is only an example and should not be construed as limiting.Alternatively, the setting terminal 8 may also be configured to transmitidentification information about the captured image to the tool 2. Inthat case, the registration unit 36 performs, based on theidentification information, image storage processing and torque storageprocessing.

Optionally, the tool 2 may have a browser capability as well. Thebrowser capability allows the registration unit 36 to perform the torquestorage processing by accessing the storage unit 85 of the settingterminal 8, acquiring a target torque value, and storing the targettorque value thus acquired in the torque storage unit 42. Theregistration unit 36 also performs the image registration processing ofmaking the image storage unit 41 store, as reference images, therespective still images generated in the processing steps S42, S44, andS46 of the exemplary operation described above. This allows theprocessing step S49 of transmitting the still image from the settingterminal 8 back to the tool 2 in the exemplary operation described aboveto be omitted.

Optionally, the tool 2 may have a Web server capability and the settingterminal 8 may have the browser capability as well. In that case, thebrowser capability of the setting terminal 8 allows the tool 2 to beaccessed and the target torque value to be registered or changed.

From the second product and on, the worker will also perform theassembling work with the operation mode of the tool 2 set at the workingmode.

According to this variation, the tool 2 may also be configured to makethe trigger switch 221 serve as a shutter release button when theoperation mode is the registration mode.

(2.2) Second Variation

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a tool system 1 b according to a secondvariation. The tool system 1 b according to this variation includes aprocessor 9, which is a major difference from the tool system 1according to the exemplary embodiment described above. In thisvariation, the processor 9 provided separately from the tool 2 includesan image processing unit 33 b (serving as the identification unit 330).The processor 9 is configured to identify the actually shot work object.

The tool 2 according to this variation includes the driving unit 24, thetool-end control unit 3, the image capturing unit 5, the battery pack201, and the communications unit 6. The tool-end control unit 3 performsthe functions of the driving control unit 31, the image capturingcontrol unit 32, the notification control unit 34, the decision unit 35,and the registration unit 36 by making a processor execute a programstored in a memory. That is to say, the tool-end control unit 3 does notperform the function of the image processing unit 33.

The communications unit 6 is a communications module that enableswireless communication compliant with the Wi-F® or any other standard tobe established and is housed in the body 20.

The processor 9 may be implemented as a server, for example, andincludes a communications unit 91, a control unit 92, and a storage unit93.

The communications unit 91 is a communications module for communicatingwith the communications unit 6 of the tool 2. Note that if thecommunications unit 91 has no wireless communication capability, thenthe communications unit 91 may also be configured to communicate withthe communications unit 6 via a communications device that performsinterconversion between wireless communication and wired communication.The control unit 92 may include a microcomputer, for example, and mayperform the functions of the image processing unit 33 b and a torqueselection unit 921 by making its processor execute the program stored inits memory. The storage unit 93 may be implemented as a semiconductormemory such as a flash memory, and performs the functions of an imagestorage unit 41 b, a torque storage unit 42 b (target value storageunit), and a result storage unit 43 b.

In this variation, the image capturing unit 5 outputs (transmits) thecaptured image to the processor 9 via the communications unit 6. In theprocessor 9, the image processing unit 33 b sequentially performspattern matching processing on a plurality of reference images stored inthe image storage unit 41 b with respect to the image captured by, andtransmitted from, the image capturing unit 5 of the tool 2, therebyidentifying the work object shot by the image capturing unit 5 (actuallyshot work object).

The torque selection unit 921 searches the torque storage unit 42 b toselect a target torque value associated with the actually shot workobject identified by the image processing unit 33 b, and then transmitsthe target torque value to the tool 2 via the communications unit 91.The driving control unit 31 of the tool 2 sets the target torque valueselected by the torque selection unit 921 of the processor 9 as thetorque setting.

Also, the decision unit 35 transmits the decision result of thefastening work to the processor 9 via the communications unit 6. Thedecision result transmitted from the decision unit 35 is stored in theresult storage unit 43 b of the processor 9.

Optionally, the processor 9 may be implemented as a cloud computingsystem. The functions of the image processing unit 33 b, the torqueselection unit 921, the image storage unit 41 b, the torque storage unit42 b, and the result storage unit 43 b may be distributed in multipledevices as well.

The processor 9 may also be configured to communicate with a pluralityof tools 2 such that the image processing unit 33 b performs imageprocessing on the image captured by the image capturing unit 5 of eachof those tools 2 to identify the actually shot work object. That is tosay, the image processing unit 33 b may identify the work objects(actually shot work objects) shot in the images captured by therespective image capturing units 5 of the plurality of tools 2, and thetorque selection unit 921 may transmit respective target torque valuesto those tools 2. This allows the single processor 9 to provide torquesettings for the respective work objects shot by the image capturingunits 5 of a plurality of tools 2.

(2.3) Other Variations

Next, other variations of the tool system 1 will be enumerated one afteranother.

The storage unit 4 may store working procedure data indicating apredetermined order of working for a plurality of work objects. In thatcase, the image processing unit 33 selects, in accordance with theworking procedure, a reference image for use in image processing(pattern matching) out of the plurality of reference images.Specifically, the image processing unit 33 b preferentially selects onereference image, corresponding to a work object to be processed in aforthcoming working process step, out of the plurality of referenceimages. As used herein, the “forthcoming work object” is a work objectto be processed next to the work object that has been identified lasttime. The image processing unit 33 performs image processing ofcomparing the reference image selected as template data with thecaptured image. That is to say, the image processing unit 33 selects thereference image by predicting the work object to be shot in the capturedimage next time in accordance with the working procedure. This allowsthe image processing unit 33 to identify, in a shorter time, the workobject shot in the captured image.

Optionally, the image processing unit 33 may also be configured todetermine the type of the socket 242 attached to the tool 2 byperforming image processing on the image captured by the image capturingunit 5. As used herein, the “type” is a piece of information fordistinguishing different parts from each other, and includes at leastone piece of information about the size (dimension or length), shape, ormaterial. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 33 is configuredto determine the length of the socket 242 attached to the tool 2. Thedriving control unit 31 corrects, according to the length of the socket242, the target torque value and sets the target torque value thuscorrected as the torque setting. For example, the driving control unit31 corrects a target torque value associated with the actually shot workobject by multiplying the target torque value by a coefficientcorresponding to the length of the socket 242 and sets the target torquevalue thus corrected as the torque setting. That is to say, the drivingcontrol unit 31 controls the driving unit 24 such that the fasteningtorque becomes equal to the corrected target torque value. This reducesdispersion in fastening torque according to the length of the socket242.

Alternatively, the driving control unit 31 may also be configured todetermine the torque setting according to the length (or type), detectedby the image processing unit 33, of the socket 242. In the storage unit4, stored are torque values corresponding one to one to various lengthsof the socket 242. The driving control unit 31 acquires, from thestorage unit 4, a torque value corresponding to the length, determinedby the image processing unit 33, of the socket 242 and sets a value,based on the torque value thus acquired, as the torque setting. Forexample, the driving control unit 31 may set the torque value, acquiredfrom the storage unit 4, as the torque setting. This allows thefastening work to be performed at a torque value corresponding to thetype of the socket 242.

The image capturing unit 5 may be configured to generate a still imagewhen the fastening work is completed. The decision unit 35 makes theresult storage unit 43 store the still image generated by the imagecapturing unit 5 in association with the decision result. This allowsthe worker to confirm the still image of a work object, of which thefastening torque has turned out to be insufficient, for example.

The image capturing unit 5 does not have to be provided for the barrel21 of the body 20 but may also be provided, for example, for theattachment member 23 of the body 20 or the battery pack 201.

The notification unit 211 does not have to be implemented as an LED butmay also be implemented as, for example, a buzzer for emitting a soundwhen the image processing unit 33 identifies the actually shot workobject.

Optionally, each product may be provided with unique marks (such asimprints) near the individual work objects. This allows the imageprocessing unit 33 to identify the work objects by reference to thesemarks, thus improving the accuracy of the identification.

Furthermore, in the example described above, the tool 2 is an impactwrench and the work value is a fastening torque. However, this is onlyan example and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, thework value may also be the number of revolutions of the driving unit 24(motor). Using the number of revolutions as a work value requires atarget value of the number of revolutions to be stored in a target valuestorage unit. In that case, the driving control unit 31 controls thedriving unit 24 such that the work value becomes equal to a number ofrevolutions setting.

Furthermore, in the example described above, the tool 2 is an impactwrench. However, the tool 2 does not have to be an impact wrench but mayalso be a nut runner or an oil pulse wrench, for example. Alternatively,the tool 2 may also be a screwdriver (impact screwdriver) for use tofasten screws (as fastening members), for example. In that case, a bit(such as a screwdriver bit) is attached to the tool 2 instead of thesocket 242. Furthermore, the tool 2 does not have to be configured to bepowered by the battery pack 201 but may also be configured to be poweredby an AC power supply (commercial power supply). Moreover, the tool 2does not have to be an electric tool but may also be an air toolincluding an air motor (driving unit) to be operated by compressed air(power) supplied from an air compressor (power source).

Furthermore, in the example described above, the work object is a localportion around a screw hole to which a fastening member is attached (aportion to be fastened). However, this is only an example and should notbe construed as limiting. Alternatively, the work object may also be amodule, part, or product with a plurality of portions to be fastened. Inthat case, the plurality of portions to be fastened of a single workobject may have either the same target torque value or mutuallydifferent target torque values.

(3) Second Embodiment

Next, a tool system 1 c according to a second embodiment will bedescribed. In the following description, any constituent element of thissecond embodiment, having the same function as a counterpart of the toolsystem 1 (1 a, 1 b) according to the first embodiment described above,will be designated by the same reference numeral as that counterpart's,and a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a tool system 1 c according to the secondembodiment. The tool system 1 c according to this embodimentdeactivates, when the actually shot work object identified by theidentification unit 330 (image processing unit 33) does not conform tothe working procedure, the driving unit 24 of the tool 2, which is amajor difference from the tool system 1 (1 a, 1 b) according to thefirst embodiment.

A tool 2 according to this embodiment includes the tool-end control unit3, the storage unit 4, the driving unit 24, the impact mechanism 25, theimage capturing unit 5, the notification unit 211, the communicationsunit 6, and the battery pack 201.

The tool-end control unit 3 includes not only the driving control unit31, the image capturing control unit 32, the image processing unit 33,the notification control unit 34, the decision unit 35, and theregistration unit 36, but also a procedure decision unit 37. The storageunit 4 includes not only the image storage unit 41, the torque storageunit 42, and the result storage unit 43, but also a procedure storageunit 44.

The procedure storage unit 44 stores data about either a single workingprocedure or multiple working procedures. Supposing a series of workingprocess steps to be done on either a single work object or plurality ofwork objects is herein referred to as a “single working process,” theworking procedure refers to the order of working process steps to beperformed on the single work object or the plurality of work objectsduring the working process. In other words, the working procedureindicates by which working process, out of the single or plurality ofworking processes, a given work object needs to be processed, and alsoindicates how many working process steps should be performed before thegiven work object is processed by the working process.

The procedure decision unit 37 determines whether or not the work object(actually shot work object) identified by the image processing unit 33conforms to a predefined working procedure (hereinafter referred to as a“reference working procedure”). Specifically, the procedure decisionunit 37 extracts data about a working procedure (indicating a particularworking process and a particular working process step) for the actuallyshot work object identified by the image processing unit 33, from theprocedure storage unit 44. Then, the procedure decision unit 37determines whether or not the particular working process and particularworking process step extracted from the procedure storage unit 44conform to the predefined reference working procedure (indicating apredefined working process and a predefined working process step).

For example, suppose the reference working procedure (indicating thepredefined working processes and working process step) predefined forthe procedure decision unit 37 indicates “the third working process stepof the first working process.” In addition, suppose the workingprocedure (indicating a particular working process and a particularworking process step) that the procedure decision unit 37 has extractedfrom the procedure storage unit 44 for the actually shot work objectidentified by the image processing unit 33 also indicates “the thirdworking process step of the first working process.” In that case, theprocedure decision unit 37 determines that the actually shot work objectidentified by the image processing unit 33 should conform to thereference working procedure.

On the other hand, suppose the working procedure (indicating aparticular working process and a particular working process step) thatthe procedure decision unit 37 has extracted from the procedure storageunit 44 for the actually shot work object identified by the imageprocessing unit 33 indicates “the fourth working process step of thefirst working process.” In that case, the procedure decision unit 37determines that the actually shot work object identified by the imageprocessing unit 33 should not conform to the reference workingprocedure.

The reference working procedure set by the procedure decision unit 37 ischanged according to the actually shot work object identified by theimage processing unit 33. For example, if the product (target)corresponding to the actually shot work object identified by the imageprocessing unit 33 has been changed into another product with adifferent working process, then the reference working procedure ischanged accordingly into the one corresponding to the latter product.

In this embodiment, when the image processing unit 33 identifies a workobject that should be processed in the “first” working process step,then the procedure decision unit 37 changes the reference workingprocedure such that the work object should be processed in the firstworking process step of the working process corresponding to theactually shot work object identified by the image processing unit 33.That is to say, when the reference working procedure is changed, thework object will be processed in the first working process stepaccording to the modified reference working procedure.

Also, if the predefined reference working procedure indicates the firstworking process step, then the procedure decision unit 37 is allowed tochange the reference working procedure. In other words, if the referenceworking procedure predefined for the procedure decision unit 37indicates an intermediate working process step (i.e., from the secondworking process step and on), then the reference working procedure maynot be changed. Therefore, even if the image processing unit 33identifies a work object that should be processed in the first workingprocess step of another working process during an intermediate workingprocess step of the reference working procedure predefined for theprocedure decision unit 37, the reference working procedure is notchanged.

Note that the reference working procedure does not have to be set asdescribed above. For example, the reference working procedure may alsobe set based on product shots that are captured images generated by theimage capturing unit 5. In that case, the image processing unit 33identifies a product by subjecting a captured image, in which theproduct has been shot either partially or entirely, to image processing.The procedure decision unit 37 sets the reference working procedure bydefining the first working process step for a single or a plurality ofwork objects that the product identified by the image processing unit 33has.

Also, when the work on the work object conforming to the referenceworking procedure is completed, the procedure decision unit 37 proceedsto the next working process step according to the predefined referenceworking procedure. Furthermore, if the working process step that hasjust been done turns out to be the last working process step, then theprocedure decision unit 37 returns to the first working process step.For example, if the reference working procedure indicates the “thirdworking process step of the first working process” and when thefastening work on the work object conforming to this reference workingprocedure is done, the procedure decision unit 37 proceeds to the“fourth working process step of the first working process” as the nextworking process step according to the reference working procedure. Also,when the fastening work on the work object conforming to the referenceworking procedure indicating the “last working process step of the firstworking process” is completed, the procedure decision unit 37 returns tothe “first working process step of the first working process” accordingto the reference working procedure.

In the tool 2 according to this embodiment, the tool-end control unit 3performs a predetermined type of processing in accordance with theresult of decision made by the procedure decision unit 37. Examples ofthe predetermined processing include regulating the operation of thedriving unit 24, sending notification to the worker, and sendingnotification to an external device 90.

Specifically, if the result of decision made by the procedure decisionunit 37 indicates nonconformity, i.e., the actually shot work objectidentified by the image processing unit 33 does not conform to thereference working procedure, the driving control unit 31 does notactivate the driving unit 24 even when the trigger switch 221 (see FIG.2 ) is pulled. In other words, the driving unit 24 may be activated onlywhen the result of decision made by the procedure decision unit 37indicates conformity. Therefore, even if the tool 2 is set on a workobject that does not conform to the reference working procedure, thedriving unit 24 remains inactive, thus disabling the fastening work.This reduces the chances of the work being performed in a wrong workingorder. Optionally, the tool 2 may also be configured to keep the triggerswitch 221 locked and unusable if the result of decision made by theprocedure decision unit 37 indicates nonconformity.

In addition, if the result of decision made by the procedure decisionunit 37 indicates nonconformity, then the notification control unit 34lights the notification unit 211. In this embodiment, the notificationunit 211 also performs the function of a worker notification unit fornotifying the worker that the tool 2 is set on a work object that doesnot conform to the reference working procedure. The notification controlunit 34 lights the notification unit 211 in a different color ordifferent lighting pattern when the result of decision made by theprocedure decision unit 37 indicates nonconformity from when the imageprocessing unit 33 has identified the actually shot work object. Forexample, if the result of decision made by the procedure decision unit37 indicates nonconformity, the notification control unit 34 may lightthe notification unit 211 in red. On the other hand, if the imageprocessing unit 33 has identified the actually shot work object, thenthe notification control unit 34 may light the notification unit 211 ingreen. This allows the worker to see, by checking the lighting state ofthe notification unit 211 (worker notification unit) with the eyes,whether the work object conforms to the reference working procedure ornot. Optionally, when the trigger switch 221 is pulled with the resultof decision made by the procedure decision unit 37 indicatingnonconformity, the notification control unit 34 may light thenotification unit 211.

The notification unit 211 may be implemented as a buzzer for emitting asound, for example. In that case, the notification control unit 34 makesthe notification unit 211 emit a different sound when the result ofdecision made by the procedure decision unit 37 indicates nonconformityfrom when the image processing unit 33 has identified the actually shotwork object. In the embodiment described above, the notification unit211 performs the function of the worker notification unit as well.However, this is only an example and should not be construed aslimiting. Alternatively, a worker notification unit may be providedseparately from the notification unit 211.

Also, if the result of decision made by the procedure decision unit 37indicates nonconformity, the notification control unit 34 has anotification signal transmitted from the communications unit 6 to theexternal device 90. That is to say, according to this embodiment, thecommunications unit 6 performs the function of a device notificationunit 60 for sending notification to the external device 90. Thenotification signal includes data (error data) about the actually shotwork object, identified by the image processing unit 33, for which theprocedure decision unit 37 has indicated nonconformity, and data aboutthe reference working procedure. Optionally, the notification controlunit 34 may make the communications unit 6 transmit a notificationsignal when the trigger switch 221 is pulled with the result of decisionmade by the procedure decision unit 37 indicating nonconformity.

The external device 90 may be implemented as a server, for example, andincludes a communications unit 901, a control unit 902, and storage unit903.

The communications unit 901 is a communications module for communicatingwith the communications unit 6 of the tool 2. Note that if thecommunications unit 901 has no wireless communication capability, thenthe communications unit 901 may also be configured to communicate withthe communications unit 6 via a communications device that performsinterconversion between wireless communication and wired communication.The control unit 902 may include a microcomputer, for example. Thecontrol unit 902 may store error data (i.e., data indicating theactually shot work object and the reference working procedure) in thestorage unit 903 in response to a notification signal received by thecommunications unit 901. The history of the error data is stored in thestorage unit 903.

This allows the administrator of the tool system 1 c to identify, byreference to the history of the error data stored in the storage unit903 of the external device 90, a work object that has often beenprocessed by the worker in a wrong working order and prompt him or herto revise the reference working procedure. Optionally, the administratorof the tool system 1 c may also tell the worker to take care whenworking on a work object that has often been processed in a wrongworking order.

Optionally, the communications unit 6 (device notification unit 60) maybe connected via cables to the communications unit 901 and may beconfigured to transmit the notification signal to the external device 90by wired communication. Also, the device notification unit 60 does nothave to be configured to notify the external device 90 by sending thenotification signal thereto. Alternatively, the device notification unit60 may store the history of the error data in a storage medium, such asa memory card, removable from the tool 2 and may notify the externaldevice 90 via the storage medium.

(3.2) Exemplary Operation

Next, an exemplary operation of the tool system 1 c according to thisembodiment will be described. In the following description, it will bedescribed how the tool system 1 c may operate so as to allow the workerto do assembling work on a plurality of products in an assembly line. Inaddition, multiple types of products are assembled by mass customizationso as to deal with various options that may or may not be picked up in asingle assembly line. Each product includes a plurality of work objectsand each type of product requires a different working process. That isto say, the plurality of products are associated with differentreference working procedures on a type-by-type basis.

The worker sets the tool 2 on a work object to be processed in the firstworking process step. This allows the image processing unit 33 toidentify the work object. When the work object is identified, the targettorque value is set at the torque setting and the reference workingprocedure is also set for this work object (actually shot work object).Then, the worker performs fastening work by pulling the trigger switch221.

When the fastening work on the work object is done, the worker sets thetool 2 on a work object to be processed in the next working process stepand performs the fastening work on the work objects sequentially.Suppose the worker has followed a wrong working procedure by mistake toset the tool 2 on a work object that does not conform to the referenceworking procedure. In that case, the result of decision made by theprocedure decision unit 37 is nonconformity, the driving unit 24 has itsoperation restricted (deactivated), and the notification unit 211 islit. This allows the worker to notice that he or she has followed awrong working procedure. In addition, a notification signal is sent fromthe tool 2 to the external device 90 such that the external device 90 isprovided with data about the work object for which the worker hasfollowed the wrong working procedure. In that case, the worker mayresume and continue the work by resetting the tool 2 on a work objectthat conforms to the correct working procedure.

When the fastening work on a work object to be processed in the lastworking process step is completed, the working process step according tothe reference working procedure is reset into the first one. If theproduct to be processed next is the same type of product as the previousone, the reference working procedure is not changed. Then, the workerperforms the fastening work on the work objects sequentially in the sameway as described above.

Meanwhile, in some cases, the product to be processed next (hereinafterreferred to as a “second object”) may be a different type of product,and may require a different working process, from the previous product(hereinafter referred to as a “first object”). In that case, when thetool 2 is set on the work object to be processed in the first workingprocess step for this next product, the reference working procedure ischanged from a first reference working procedure for the previousproduct (i.e., the first object) into a second reference workingprocedure for the next product (i.e., the second object). Furthermore,the current working process step becomes the first working process stepaccording to the second reference working procedure. Then, the workerperforms the fastening work on the work objects sequentially in the sameway as described above.

In the example described above, the (first and second) targets aresupposed to be products. However, this is only an example and should notbe construed as limiting. Alternatively, the (first and second) targetsmay also be modules, parts, or anything else.

(4) Variation

Next, a tool system 1 d according to a variation of the secondembodiment will be described. In the following description, anyconstituent element of this variation, having the same function as acounterpart of the tool system 1 c described above, will be designatedby the same reference numeral as that counterpart's, and a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted herein.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the tool system 1 d according to thisvariation. The tool system 1 d according to this variation includes areception unit 50 provided for the tool 2 and a transmission unit 501provided for a communications device 500. The tool system 1 d accordingto this variation identifies the current work object by determining thelocation of the tool 2 in accordance with reception information aboutreception of a wireless signal at the reception unit 50, which is amajor difference from the tool system 1 c described above.

In the tool system 1 d according to this variation, the tool 2 furtherincludes the reception unit 50. The tool-end control unit 3 includes thedriving control unit 31, the notification control unit 34, the decisionunit 35, the registration unit 36, the procedure decision unit 37, and asignal processing unit 331. The storage unit 4 includes the torquestorage unit 42, the result storage unit 43, the procedure storage unit44, and a location storage unit 410. In this variation, the signalprocessing unit 331 performs the function of an identification unit 330for identifying the current work object on which the tool 2 is set inplace. That is to say, in this variation, the identification unit 330(signal processing unit 331) uses, as a sensor, the reception unit 50provided for the tool 2 and identifies, based on the output (receptioninformation) of the sensor (reception unit 50), the current work objecton which the tool 2 is set in place.

The reception unit 50 includes a plurality of (e.g., three) antennas. Asshown in FIG. 10 , the reception unit 50 is housed in the barrel 21 ofthe body 20 of the tool 2. In this variation, the reception unit 50 isarranged along the output shaft 241. That is to say, the reception unit50 is arranged within a predetermined range from the output shaft 241.This makes less difference in the relative position of the receptionunit 50 with respect to the work object depending on whether the workeris holding the tool 2 in his or her right hand or left hand whileworking on a given work object. In addition, the reception unit 50 isarranged closer to the tip of the output shaft 241 in the barrel 21.This also reduces a shift in the relative position of the reception unit50 with respect to the work object.

Each of the antennas of the reception unit 50 receives a wireless signalfrom the transmission unit 501 of the communications device 500 viaradio waves. The wireless signal to be transmitted and received betweenthe reception unit 50 and the transmission unit 501 may be compliantwith the Bluetooth® standard, for example. The plurality of antennas mayhave the same property (in terms of directivity and gain, for example)or may also have mutually different properties without limitation. Also,the plurality of antennas may be of the same type or may also bedifferent types without limitation.

The communications device 500 is provided at a different location fromthe tool 2. In this embodiment, the communications device 500 isprovided for each product. Note that the communications device 500 isattachable to, and removable from, each product. The communicationsdevice 500 may be removed from each product before the product isshipped or may also remain attached to the product. When still attachedto the product even after the product has been shipped, thecommunications device 500 may be used to provide traceability of variouskinds of information including manufacturing information and productinformation.

The communications device 500 includes the transmission unit 501. Thetransmission unit 501 includes an antenna for transmitting a wirelesssignal. The communications device 500 transmits the wireless signal atregular intervals from the transmission unit 501 toward the receptionunit 50 provided for each tool 2.

Optionally, a plurality of communications devices 500 may be providedfor each product and each of the plurality of communications devices 500may transmit a wireless signal to its associated tool 2. In addition,the communications device 500 does not have to be provided in a product,but may also be provided for a palette on which the product is mounted,or a ceiling, wall, or column of the factory, for example.

The signal processing unit 331 determines, based on receptioninformation about reception of the wireless signal at the reception unit50, the location of the tool 2, thereby identifying the current workobject. Specifically, the signal processing unit 331 determines thelocation of the tool 2 by three point positioning method based on thereception information provided by the reception unit 50. Examples of thereception information include information about the time lag betweenrespective timings when the plurality of antennas have received thewireless signal and information about the strengths of the wirelesssignal received at the respective antennas. As used herein, the“location of the tool 2” refers to the relative location of the tool 2(reception unit 50) with respect to the communications device 500. Forexample, the signal processing unit 331 obtains, based on the receptioninformation provided by the reception unit 50, three-axis coordinates(along the x, y, and z axes) with respect to the location of thecommunications device 500. The signal processing unit 331 identifies thecurrent work object based on the location data of the tool 2 thusdetermined and data about a plurality of reference locations stored inthe location storage unit 410.

The location storage unit 410 stores the data about the plurality ofreference locations in association with the plurality of work objects.As used herein, the “data about a reference location” refers to dataabout the location of an associated work object. Also, as used herein,the “location of a work object” refers to the relative location of thework object with respect to the communications device 500. Furthermore,the data about the reference location does not indicate a local locationof the work object but indicates the area of a predetermined rangecovering the location of the work object.

The signal processing unit 331 searches the data, stored in the locationstorage unit 410, about a plurality of reference locations for dataabout a reference location including data about the location of the tool2 positioned. Then, the signal processing unit 331 identifies a workobject associated with the data about the reference location as thecurrent work object on which the tool 2 is currently set in place.

In this variation, the registration unit 36 performs, instead of theimage registration processing described above, location registrationprocessing of making the location storage unit 410 store data about theplurality of reference locations. The registration unit 36 makes, whileperforming the location registration processing, the location storageunit 410 store, as the reference location data, location data fallingwithin a predetermined range covering the location of the tool 2determined by the signal processing unit 331. Specifically, in asituation where the operation mode of the tool 2 is the registrationmode, when the trigger switch 221 turns ON, the signal processing unit331 determines the location of the tool 2. The registration unit 36makes the location storage unit 410 store, as the reference locationdata, the location data falling within the predetermined range coveringthe location of the tool 2 determined by the signal processing unit 331.

In the example described above, the tool 2 is provided with thereception unit 50 for receiving a wireless signal. However, this is onlyan example and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, thetool 2 may also be provided with a transmission unit 51 for transmittinga wireless signal as shown in FIG. 11 . The transmission unit 51transmits the wireless signal to the communications device 500. Thecommunications device 500 includes a plurality of antennas functioningas a reception unit 502. The tool 2 and the communications device 500are configured to communicate with each other. The communications device500 transmits reception information received at the reception unit 502to the tool 2. The signal processing unit 331 determines the location ofthe tool 2 based on the reception information received from thecommunications device 500.

Optionally, the communications device 500 may include a signalprocessing unit for determining the location of the tool 2 based on thereception information received at the reception unit 502 and may beconfigured to transmit the location data, obtained by the signalprocessing unit, to the tool 2.

Also, a plurality of communications devices 500 may be provided. In thatcase, each communications device 500 may be configured such that thereception unit 502 includes only one antenna. Each communications device500 transmits reception information, including the timing when theantenna of the reception unit 502 has received a wireless signal and thereception strength of the wireless signal, to the tool 2. The signalprocessing unit 331 of the tool 2 determines the location of the tool 2based on the reception information received from the respectivecommunications devices 500.

In the example described above, the wireless signal is transmitted viaradio waves as transmission medium. However, this is only an example andshould not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, the wireless signalmay also be an optical signal to be transmitted via visible ornon-visible light as transmission medium. In that case, the signalprocessing unit 331 determines the location of the tool 2 based on, forexample, a time lag between a time when the transmission unit hastransmitted an optical signal and a time when the reception unitreceives the optical signal.

Note that the first and second embodiments and respective variations ofthe first and second embodiments described above are just exemplaryconfigurations of a tool system according to the present disclosure andshould not be construed as limiting. Optionally, a tool system may alsobe configured as an appropriate combination of the configurations of thefirst and second embodiments and variations thereof. For example, a toolsystem may include both the image processing unit 33 (33 b) describedfor the first embodiment and the signal processing unit 331 describedfor the variation of the second embodiment. This allows the current workobject to be identified based on both the result of the image processingby the image processing unit 33 (33 b) and the result of the tool 2location determination by the signal processing unit 331, thus improvingthe identification accuracy of the current work object.

(5) Resume

A tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d) according to a first aspectincludes a portable tool (2) and an identification unit (330). The tool(2) includes a driving unit (24) to operate with power supplied from apower source (such as a battery pack 201). The identification unit (330)identifies, by a contactless method, a current work object, on which thetool (2) is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects.

This configuration allows the identification unit (330) to identify thecurrent work object, on which the tool (2) is set in place, before workstarts to be performed on the work object using the tool (2). Thus, theworker is able to control the tool (2) depending on the current workobject before starting the work.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a second aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the first aspect, the tool (2) includesa tool-end control unit (3). The tool-end control unit (3) performs apredetermined type of processing, when finding the current work object,identified by the identification unit (330), not conforming to areference working procedure in terms of its corresponding workingprocess step.

This configuration allows the worker to control, when finding thecurrent work object not conforming to the reference working procedure,the tool (2) such that the tool (2) performs the predetermined type ofprocessing.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a third aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the second aspect, the predeterminedtype of processing includes processing in which the tool-end controlunit (3) deactivates the driving unit (24).

This configuration reduces the chances of the worker performing work onthe work object in a wrong working order.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a fourth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the second or third aspect, the tool (2)includes a worker notification unit (211) to send a notification to aworker. The predetermined type of processing includes processing inwhich the tool-end control unit (3) makes the worker notification unit(211) send the notification.

This configuration allows the worker to notice that the working order iswrong.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a fifth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with any one of the second to fourth aspects,the tool (2) includes a device notification unit (60) to send anotification to an external device (90). The predetermined type ofprocessing includes processing in which the tool-end control unit (3)makes the device notification unit (60) send the notification.

This configuration allows a work object, for which the worker tends toadopt a wrong working order, to be identified.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a sixth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with any one of the second to fifth aspects,when finding that objects corresponding to the current work objectidentified by the identification unit (330) have been changed from afirst object into a second object requiring a different working processfrom the first object, the tool-end control unit (3) changes thereference working procedures from a first reference working procedurefor the first object into a second reference working procedure for thesecond object.

This configuration allows the reference working procedures to be changedaccording to the current work object, thus saving the worker the troubleof changing the reference working procedures by him- or herself.

In a tool system (1 c, 1 d) according to a seventh aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the sixth aspect, the tool-end controlunit (3) defines, when changing the reference working procedures fromthe first reference working procedure into the second reference workingprocedure, the working process step for the current work object to bethe first working process step according to the second reference workingprocedure.

This configuration reduces the chances of the work being started fromhalfway through the reference working procedure.

A tool system (1 d) according to an eighth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with any one of the first to seventh aspects,further includes a transmission unit (51, 501) to transmit a wirelesssignal; and a reception unit (50, 502) to receive the wireless signaltransmitted from the transmission unit (51, 501). The tool (2) includeseither the transmission unit (51, 501) or the reception unit (50, 502).The identification unit (330) identifies the current work object basedon reception information about reception of the wireless signal at thereception unit (50, 502).

This configuration allows the identification unit (330) to identify thecurrent work object by determining the location of the tool (2) based onthe reception information.

A tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a ninth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with any one of the first to eighth aspects,further includes an image capturing unit (5) and an image storage unit(41). The image capturing unit (5) is provided for the tool (2) togenerate a captured image. The image storage unit (41) stores aplurality of reference images associated with the plurality of workobjects. The identification unit (330) includes an image processing unit(33, 33 b) to perform image processing by comparing the captured imagegenerated by the image capturing unit (5) with a plurality of referenceimages and identify an actually shot work object as the current workobject. The actually shot work object is a work object, shot in thecaptured image, out of the plurality of work objects.

This configuration allows the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) to identify aplurality of work objects from each other on an individual basis throughthe image processing by the image processing unit (33, 33 b). Inaddition, the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) is also allowed, even when theworker is working on a plurality of work objects in the same workplaceor when the plurality of work objects are close to each other, toidentify the plurality of work objects from each other on an individualbasis.

In a tool system (1, 1 a) according to a tenth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the ninth aspect, the image storage unit(41) and the image processing unit (33) are provided for the tool (2).

This configuration eliminates the need to provide any additional devicefor the tool system (1, 1 a) separately from the tool (2) because theimage processing unit (33) provided for the tool (2) identifies theactually shot work object. In addition, eliminating the need to transmitthe captured image to any other device shortens the amount of time ittakes for the image processing unit (33) to identify the actually shotwork object.

A tool system (1 b) according to an eleventh aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the ninth aspect, further includes aprocessor (9) provided with the image storage unit (41 b) and the imageprocessing unit (33 b). The tool (2) further includes a communicationsunit (6) to transmit the captured image to the processor (9).

In a tool system (1 b) with such a configuration, there is no need forthe tool (2) to include any high-performance control unit, because theimage processing unit (33 b) provided for the processor (9) identifiesthe actually shot work object. In addition, this also allows the singleprocessor (9) to identify the work objects shot by the respective imagecapturing units (5) of the plurality of tools (2) (i.e., the actuallyshot work objects).

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a twelfth aspect, which maybe implemented in conjunction with any one of the ninth to eleventhaspects, the tool (2) includes a notification unit (211) to send anotification when the image processing unit (33, 33 b) identifies theactually shot work object.

This configuration allows the worker to recognize that the imageprocessing unit (33, 33 b) has identified the actually shot work object.

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a thirteenth aspect, whichmay be implemented in conjunction with any one of the ninth to twelfthaspects, the image processing unit (33, 33 b) performs image processingin such a manner as to preferentially select, following a workingprocedure indicating an order of working process steps to be performedon the plurality of work objects, one reference image, corresponding toa work object to be processed in a forthcoming working process step, outof the plurality of reference images and compare the reference imageselected with the captured image.

According to this configuration, the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) makes theimage processing unit (33, 33 b) select, following the workingprocedure, one of the reference images by predicting the work object tobe shot next in the captured image. This shortens the amount of time ittakes for the image processing unit (33, 33 b) to identify the workobject shot in the captured image.

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a fourteenth aspect, whichmay be implemented in conjunction with any one of the ninth tothirteenth aspects, the tool (2) is either a screwdriver or a wrench foruse to perform work of attaching a plurality of fastening members ontothe plurality of work objects, respectively, by turning the driving unit(24). The tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) includes a target value storage unit(42, 42 b) to store a plurality of target values associated with theplurality of work objects. The tool (2) further includes a drivingcontrol unit (31) to control the driving unit (24) by acquiring onetarget value, associated with the actually shot work object identifiedby the image processing unit (33, 33 b), out of the plurality of targetvalues such that a work value becomes a value based on the target valuethus acquired.

This configuration allows the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) to set a workingsetting at a target value associated with the work object shot by theimage capturing unit (5). Thus, the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) saves theworker the trouble of manually entering the working setting and reducesthe chances of the fastening work being performed at a wrong workingsetting. In addition, a target value associated with the work objectshot by the image capturing unit (5) (i.e., the actually shot workobject) is set as the working setting. Therefore, even if the worker hasperformed the fastening work in a different working process step, notconforming to the working procedure indicating a predetermined order ofworking, the fastening members are still fastened at a target valueassociated with each work object.

In a tool system (1) according to a fifteenth aspect, which may beimplemented in conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, the tool (2)includes a registration mode as an operation mode thereof. The tool (2)further includes a registration unit (36) to perform image storageprocessing of making the image storage unit (41) store the plurality ofreference images when the operation mode of the tool (2) is theregistration mode and target value storage processing of making thetarget value storage unit (42) store the plurality of target values. Theimage storage processing includes making the image storage unit (41)store, as the plurality of reference images, a plurality of still imagesgenerated by the image capturing unit (5) by shooting the plurality ofwork objects. The target value storage processing includes making thetarget value storage unit (42) store, as the plurality of target values,respective working settings defined when the plurality of fasteningmembers are attached to the plurality of work objects.

This configuration allows the tool system (1) to perform, in parallelwith each other, assembling work of attaching a plurality of fasteningmembers to a plurality of work objects and registration work ofperforming image registration processing and target value storageprocessing.

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a sixteenth aspect, whichmay be implemented in conjunction with the fourteenth or fifteenthaspect, the tool (2) further includes a decision unit (35) to determinewhether each of work values, generated when the plurality of fasteningmembers are respectively attached to the plurality of work objects, is anormal one or not. The tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) includes a resultstorage unit (43, 43 b) to store respective decision results obtained bythe decision unit (35) for the plurality of work objects.

The tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) with this configuration allows the workerto confirm respective decision results for the plurality of work objectsafter having performed the fastening work. In addition, the decisionresults obtained by the decision unit (35) are associated with the workobjects shot by the image capturing unit (5) (i.e., the actually shotwork objects). This allows the worker to confirm, even after havingperformed the fastening work in a different working process step notconforming to the working procedure indicating a predetermined order ofworking, the decision results associated with the respective workobjects.

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to a seventeenth aspect, whichmay be implemented in conjunction with any one of the fourteenth tosixteenth aspects, the image capturing unit (5) is provided for the tool(2) such that either a bit or socket (242) attached to the tool (2)falls within an image capturing range. The image processing unit (33, 33b) recognizes, based on the captured image, a type of the bit or thesocket (242). The driving control unit (31) corrects, according to thetype of the bit or the socket (242) recognized by the image processingunit (33, 33 b), a target value associated with the actually shot workobject and thereby controls the driving unit (24) such that the workvalue becomes equal to the target value thus corrected.

This configuration allows the tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) to reducedispersion in work value according to the length of the bit or socket(242).

In a tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) according to an eighteenth aspect, whichmay be implemented in conjunction with any one of the ninth tothirteenth aspects, the tool (2) is either a screwdriver or a wrench foruse to perform work of attaching a plurality of fastening members ontothe plurality of work objects, respectively, by turning the driving unit(24). The image capturing unit (5) is provided for the tool (2) suchthat either a bit or socket (242) attached to the tool (2) falls withinan image capturing range. The image processing unit (33, 33 b)recognizes, based on the captured image, a type of the bit or the socket(242). The tool (2) further includes a driving control unit (31) tocontrol the driving unit (24) such that a work value becomes a valuecorresponding to the type, recognized by the image processing unit (33,33 b), of the bit or the socket (242).

The tool system (1, 1 a, 1 b) with this configuration saves the workerthe trouble of manually entering a working setting, thus allowing theworker to perform the fastening work at a value corresponding to thetype of the bit or socket (242).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d Tool System    -   2 Tool    -   201 Battery Pack (Power Source)    -   211 Notification Unit (Worker Notification Unit)    -   24 Driving Unit    -   242 Socket    -   3 Tool-End Control Unit    -   31 Driving Control Unit    -   33, 33 b Image Processing Unit    -   330 Identification Unit    -   35 Decision Unit    -   36 Registration Unit    -   41, 41 b Image Storage Unit    -   42, 42 b Torque Storage Unit (Target Value Storage Unit)    -   43, 43 a, 43 b Result Storage Unit    -   5 Image Capturing Unit    -   50 Reception Unit    -   51 Transmission Unit    -   6 Communications Unit    -   60 Device Notification Unit    -   9 Processor    -   90 External Device

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tool system comprising: a portable tool including a driving unit, the driving unit being configured to operate with power supplied from a power source; an identification unit configured to identify, by a contactless method, a current work object, on which the tool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects, an image capturing unit provided for the tool and configured to generate a captured image; and an image storage unit configured to store a plurality of reference images associated with the plurality of work objects, each of the plurality of reference images being obtained by capturing an associated work object, wherein the image capturing unit generates the captured image such that a current work object falls within an image capturing range, and the identification unit including an image processing unit configured to perform image processing by comparing the captured image generated by the image capturing unit with a plurality of reference images and identify an actually shot work object as the current work object, the actually shot work object being a work object, shot in the captured image, out of the plurality of work objects.
 2. The tool system of claim 1, wherein the image storage unit and the image processing unit are provided for the tool.
 3. The tool system of claim 1, further comprising a processor provided with the image storage unit and the image processing unit, wherein the tool includes a communications unit configured to transmit the captured image to the processor.
 4. The tool system of claim 1, wherein the tool includes a notification unit configured to send a notification when the image processing unit identifies the actually shot work object.
 5. The tool system of claim 1, wherein the image processing unit is configured to perform image processing in such a manner as to preferentially select, following a working procedure indicating an order of working process steps to be performed on the plurality of work objects, one reference image, corresponding to a work object to be processed in a forthcoming working process step, out of the plurality of reference images and compare the reference image selected with the captured image.
 6. A tool system comprising: a portable tool including a driving unit, the driving unit being configured to operate with power supplied from a power source; an identification unit configured to identify, by a contactless method, a current work object, on which the tool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects, an image capturing unit provided for the tool and configured to generate a captured image; and an image storage unit configured to store a plurality of reference images associated with the plurality of work objects, the identification unit including an image processing unit configured to perform image processing by comparing the captured image generated by the image capturing unit with a plurality of reference images and identify an actually shot work object as the current work object, the actually shot work object being a work object, shot in the captured image, out of the plurality of work objects wherein the tool is either a screwdriver or a wrench for use to perform work of attaching a plurality of fastening members onto the plurality of work objects, respectively, by turning the driving unit, the tool system includes a target value storage unit configured to store a plurality of target values associated with the plurality of work objects, and the tool further includes a driving control unit configured to control the driving unit by acquiring one target value, associated with the actually shot work object identified by the image processing unit, out of the plurality of target values such that a work value becomes a value based on the target value thus acquired.
 7. The tool system of claim 6, wherein the tool includes a registration mode as an operation mode thereof, the tool further includes a registration unit configured to perform image storage processing of making the image storage unit store the plurality of reference images when the operation mode of the tool is the registration mode and target value storage processing of making the target value storage unit store the plurality of target values, the image storage processing includes making the image storage unit store, as the plurality of reference images, a plurality of still images generated by the image capturing unit by shooting the plurality of work objects, and the target value storage processing includes making the target value storage unit store, as the plurality of target values, respective working settings defined when the plurality of fastening members are attached to the plurality of work objects.
 8. The tool system of claim 6, wherein the tool further includes a decision unit configured to determine whether each of work values, generated when the plurality of fastening members are respectively attached to the plurality of work objects, is a normal one or not, and the tool system includes a result storage unit configured to store respective decision results obtained by the decision unit for the plurality of work objects.
 9. The tool system of claim 6, wherein the image capturing unit is provided for the tool such that either a bit or socket attached to the tool falls within an image capturing range, the image processing unit is configured to recognize, based on the captured image, a type of the bit or the socket, and the driving control unit is configured to correct, according to the type of the bit or the socket recognized by the image processing unit, a target value associated with the actually shot work object and thereby control the driving unit such that the work value becomes equal to the target value thus corrected.
 10. A tool system comprising: a portable tool including a driving unit, the driving unit being configured to operate with power supplied from a power source; an identification unit configured to identify, by a contactless method, a current work object, on which the tool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects, an image capturing unit provided for the tool and configured to generate a captured image; and an image storage unit configured to store a plurality of reference images associated with the plurality of work objects, the identification unit including an image processing unit configured to perform image processing by comparing the captured image generated by the image capturing unit with a plurality of reference images and identify an actually shot work object as the current work object, the actually shot work object being a work object, shot in the captured image, out of the plurality of work objects wherein the tool is either a screwdriver or a wrench for use to perform work of attaching a plurality of fastening members onto the plurality of work objects, respectively, by turning the driving unit, the image capturing unit is provided for the tool such that either a bit or socket attached to the tool falls within an image capturing range, the image processing unit recognizes, based on the captured image, a type of the bit or the socket, and the tool further includes a driving control unit configured to control the driving unit such that a work value becomes a value corresponding to the type, recognized by the image processing unit, of the bit or the socket. 